June 5, 2009, Newsletter Issue #256: Coworkers talking behind your back
Tip of the Week
One exists in just about every company - the busybody who loves to talk about peoplesī personal lives. These people want to be paid attention to, and want to feel better about themselves. They do so by having juicy gossip about other people and by berating and belittling them.
Asking the person to stop rarely works. These people thrive on attention. You are unlikely to change their self-esteem either, convincing them to stop putting others down. If the person is having an effect on your work environment, talk to your boss or to personnel and explain what is going on. They should be able to bring a general complaint against the babbler, telling her that her attitude is affecting workplace morale. Be prepared, though, that she might blame you for this and use her energies to make things more difficult for you.
The most effective way to get these people to stop is to remove her audience. Talk to the people she babbles on to, and discuss her behavior. If she finds an unreceptive ear for her badmouthing, she will seek attention in a different, and hopefully more constructive, manner.
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